Day two at the 55th Annual Philadelphia Folk Fest went off without a hitch. From local band Deer Scout performing on the Camp Stage to Anderson East joining The Lone Bellow on the Martin Guitar Main Stage – incredible performances were happening all day long across the 80 acre, Old Pool Farm.

The Lone Bellow came through Philadelphia on Thursday night and did not fail to create an all-encompassing Americana atmosphere. The Brooklyn band, who we last saw at XPN Fest this summer, has been touring hard in support of its sophomore album Then Came the Morning, released in January,

Anderson East opened the show delivering nostalgic R&B stand out songs backed by his band who were beyond tight. East is currently supporting his soul filled debut album, Delilah. Later in the set, he nailed an energy packed cover of Rod Stewart’s Stay With Me bringing nearly the entire venue rushing to the floor.

The folk rock trio Lone Bellow hit the stage singing songs drenched with gospel infusion. A few songs in, it was made very clear that the music being delivered may have a deeper sense of emotion behind it. The band sang their stand out hits – from “Take My Love” to “Green Eyes and a Heart of Gold” – and created a hauntingly beautiful ambience with the melancholy melody of “Marietta.” The Brooklyn trio is no doubt a musical powerhouse and they only seem to be getting started.

The Lone Bellow have played both XPN’s Free at Noon and the 2015 XPoNential Music Festival, so to say that we here at XPN are fans may be an understatement. Their blend of folk, indie rock and gospel all with a focus on beautiful and intricate harmonization is as likeable as it is powerful and their growing popularity is not surprising in the least. Tonight they will be at Union Transfer with singer-songwriters Anderson East and Hugh Masterson beginning at 8 p.m. Head over to the XPN Concert Calendar for more details on tonight’s show.

Philly alternative rockers Howlish are posed to release their debut LP, Outer, later this month and tonight will be playing Milkboy in support of Sweden’s The Royal Concept. Earlier this fall we premiered their single, “Black Ice”, an atmospheric indie-rock jam which gave us a good idea of what to expect on Outer. You can catch them playing a mix of songs both new and old tonight at Milkboy. Check out the single “Black Ice” below and grab tickets for the show here.

Philly shoegaze rockers The Spirit of the Beehive released an EP this summer titled You Are Arrived (But You’ve Been Cheater). It is a 19-minute record chalk full of power and energy, constantly shifting tones and keeping things continuously interesting. Tonight they will be rocking First Unitarian Church with Philly’s Amanda X, The Big Ups and Pile and you can find more information on the show here.

Tonight is also the opening of the 215 Festival, a literary arts festival being held in Northern Liberties. The opening free event this evening is being held in conjunction with Apiary Magazine, at Ortlieb’s at 9PM. Lushlife is curating, Tinmouth is playing, and there’s going to be a DJ set and readings from local poets and authors. Go here for more information.

As we enter November, there’s a month filled with excellent shows coming into Philly. Here’s 20 must see shows that we suggest you choose from to put on your social calendar.

You can get tickets and information about all the shows below, on the XPN Concert Calendar, here.

The Lone Bellow – Thursday, November 5th – Union Transfer
The last time The Lone Bellow were in town was at WXPN’s XPoNential Music Festival, and performed a rousing set. Their 9 song #XPNfest set only hinted at the explosiveness of the band’s live performances.

Beirut – Friday, November 6th – Tower Theatre
Zach Condon and friends return to Philly in support of their new album, No No No.

Cold Fronts – Friday, November 6th – Johnny Brenda’s
Philly indie-rockers play a hometown record released show in support of their recently released Forever Whatever.

The Districts – Friday, Npvember 6th – Electric Factory
The Districts are ready to rock their biggest headlining show yet at the Factory this Friday night, with Purples opening.

Black Violin – Sunday, November 8th – World Cafe Live (matinee)
A hip-hop duo that play classical music. Need we say more?

Lera Lynn – Sunday, November 8th – World Cafe Live
There’s more to Lera Lynn than her spectacular season saving role in this year’s True Detective.

Arturo Sandoval Band with Poncho Sanchez Latin Band – Sunday, November 8th – Merriam Theatre
Two music legends together for a show that is guaranteed to be a Latin/Cuban music throw down. Cuban trumpeter Sandoval and Latin percussionist Pancho Sanchez are as important as you can get, together on one bill.

Natalie Prass – Wednesday, November 11th – World Cafe Live
With a highly acclaimed 2015 release, phenomenal reviews from SXSW last March, and a sensational performance at WXPN’s Non-COMM in May, singer-songwriter Prass has an EP of covers out on November 20th.

Promised Land Sound – Wednesday, November 11th – Kung Fu Necktie
Birmingham, Alabama’s Promised Land Sound keeping the spirit of the Dead, the Flying Burrito Brothers, and the Meat Puppets alive in their own way.

Shakey Graves – Saturday, November 14th – Electric Factory
The singer-songwriter has more in his trick bag beyond the smash hit “Dearly Departed.” Graves is an electric live performer, and you don’t want to miss him in concert.

Hezekiah Jones – Saturday, November 14th – Ardmore Music Hall
Celebrate the release of Philly singer-songwriter Raphael Cutrufello’s (Hezekiah Jones) new album with help from the West Philadelphia Orchestra. Download a new song “The Dark Heart’s Out” below.

Hudson Mohawke with The-Dream, Heaven in Stereo, and Noah Breakfast – Tuesday, November 17th – TLA
Scottish producer, DJ, and songwriter Hudson Mohawke returns to town with support from former Chiddy Banger – producer and DJ Noah Breakfast. The show is presented by Rare MP3s, the local based production company, banging mad hits since 2012.

My Morning Jacket – Thursday, November 19th – Tower Theatre
MMJ returned this year with an excellent new album, The Waterfall, and put on a incredible show. Here’s your chance to see them again in a great setting in case you missed them this summer.

Diarrhea Planet – Friday, November 20th – Underground Arts
Writing about DP’s show in Philly this past April, The Key’s John Vettese said: “The best way to describe Diarrhea Planet’s entrance is a wall of sound: riffs on riffs, licks on licks, hair on hair. It was a frenzy. The best way to describe the crowd’s response to DP’s entrance: pure devotion, pure elation.” Seriously, name aside this DP are on killer live band.

Ground Up – Saturday, November 21st – Union Transfer
With a new album, Seventeen Eleven, on their musical resume, the Philly hip-hop band trio are ready to take their game to a higher level. They just started a national tour, and roll back into their hometown towards the end of tghe month.

George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic – Friday, November 27th – Ardmore Music Hall
In the beginning there was James Brown, then there was George Clinton and P-Funk. Need we say more?

As the vast majority of XPN Fest-goers gathered in the hot Sunday sun, Brooklyn-based trio The Lone Bellow kicked off their set with the title track to their sophomore album Then Came the Morning.

The opener “Then Came The Morning” elicited a huge crowd response, as lead singer Zach Williams hopped on a speaker, beckoning the crowd to sing along. As they burned through the lead tracks of their latest LP, the song “Watch Over Us” brough the frenzied energy to a halt as the group’s pure emotion kicked in. With the trio sharing one mic, their harmonies on the song had the audience clinging to every syllable.

They picked things back up with the crowd favorite “You Never Need Noboby” which, despite the double negative, is one of the most positive tracks in The Lone Bellow’s catalogue. They concluded the set with “Green Eyes and a Heart of Gold” and “The One You Shoulda Let Go,” two rocking songs off their self-titled debut.

The indie-folk trio’s second effort was put together with the help of The National‘s Aaron Dessner, who helped the band uncover their penchant for harmonizing sincerity. They’ll be back in Philly in November at Union Transfer, and we’ll have more info on as the date creeps closer. For now, check out photos and the setlist below!

Setlist
Then Came the Morning
Fake Roses
Marietta
Take My Love
Heaven Don’t Call Me Home
Watch Over Us
You Never Need Nobody
Green Eyes and a Heart of Gold
The One You Shoulda Let Go